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T O P I C R E V I E W

Robert Pearlman

TIME reports that Bonhams upcoming (Aug. 18-19) Exceptional Motorcars and Motorcycles auction in California includes a 1964 Lincoln Continental limo used by Pope Paul VI before being assigned to "official astronaut business" in Chicago.

The car was returned to Chicago and later that year the limo started its second life in the spotlight as a transport for astronauts. The crews of Apollo 8, Apollo 11, Apollo 13 and Apollo 15 would all ride through those streets in the same Continental. Which means, if you're in the market for a such a vehicle, you could sit not only where a pope sat but where Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and James Lovell rested their space legs.

The car, retired from public use in the 1970s, is valued at $250,000 to $350,000.

onesmallstep

It would be a nice addition to the Saturn V Center at KSC together with other historic artifacts with wheels: an LRV and the astronaut transfer van. Maybe it can be loaned by the buyer.

p51

It's now at the LeMay car museum in Tacoma, just saw it there on Saturday, sitting right at the entrance.

It has flags for the Pope on the front but the sign says it was later used for the astronauts. In all fairness, I think a "Pope Limo" probably is a greater draw for the general public than one used for Apollo crews so I understand why the Papal reference gets top billing there.

David Carey

That is one sweet stretched-out ride.

Here is a nice vintage photo of the Chicago parade and crew-carrying Continental now on loan to LeMay.

It isn't marked as coming from any professional source but is noted on the back by the original photographer as being taken at the corner of Huron and Michigan.

I always liked how the 'blur' conveyed the whirlwind aspects of their post-quarantine parade and tour.